Piece by: GARVIN PATRICK

10 July 2024

• It is a type of cancer that develops in plasma cells, a specific kind of white blood cell found in bone marrow

Cancer, which has become a menace around the globe has a lot of variants that have completely shattered many lives.

Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is a type of cancer that develops in plasma cells, a specific kind of white blood cell found in bone marrow.

Plasma cells are responsible for producing antibodies that fight infection.

In myeloma, these plasma cells become abnormal and grow uncontrollably, forming tumors in the bone marrow.

The exact cause of myeloma remains unknown it has put some patients on a rollercoaster of guessing what the disease may be.

Some of the symptoms of this erroneous type of cancer include bone pain, especially in the back and ribs, fatigue, frequent infections, anemia (low red blood cell count), kidney problems, and high calcium levels.

Myeloma is more common in older adults, with a median age of diagnosis around 69 African American persons have a higher risk of getting the disease.

Research also indicates that the cancer can be generational.

Diagnosing myeloma typically involves a combination of tests, including blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and bone marrow biopsies. There's currently no cure for myeloma, but treatment options can help manage the disease and improve quality of life.

Some of the treatments suggested include chemotherapy, which uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells, immunotherapy, which relies on the immune system to recognize and attack the cancer cells and stem cell transplants which involve replacing damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.